Patricia Ann Taphorn

Patricia Ann Taphorn (Pat) 87, of Rockford passed away October 3, 2009 at Provena Cor Mariae Center after a long illness.  Pat was born May 6, 1922 in Rockford, Illinois.   She was a 1939 graduate of Rockford High School.  She married Richard P. Taphorn July 29, 1943.  She served as a Guilford High School secretary and was employed at the Rockford Election Board.  Pat was an avid golfer and reader, loved traveling, including Europe, Alaska, and the Bahamas and was a member of the Catholic Womens League.  She is survived by her daughters, Ellen (Bob) Ralston and Joan (Greg) Dykstra. Also survived by her brother Bill (Ceil) Lonergan and sister Peg (Jerry) Goral, four grandchildren, Philip, Becky, Elizabeth, and Eric.  Predeceased by her husband Richard, son Thomas, parents, Anne and James Lonergan, siblings, Thomas Lonergan, Elizabeth Provancher, Helen Page, and Catherine Schlenk. Many thanks to the staff of Provena Cor Mariae Center. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 10:45 a.m. in Provena Cor Mariae Center. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. in Provena Cor Mariae Center until the time of the Mass. Interment will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Barbara Olson Center of Hope. The family was assisted by Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, IL 61108. To express condolences to the family online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.